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| The 2023 edition of the standard map of China. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn |
China's government released the "2023 edition of the standard map of China" on August 28, reaffirming its territorial claims over the entire State of Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region as part of its borders. The Ministry of Natural Resources unveiled the 2023 map, which maintains China's territorial assertions along its western borders, including the contentious nine-dash line that covers the entire South China Sea. Notably, a "tenth dash" east of Taiwan underscores Beijing's claims over the island.
This updated map comes after
Beijing's decision in April to "standardize" the names of 11 places
in Arunachal Pradesh, including a town close to the state's capital of
Itanagar. The move was seen as a response to India's activities leading up to
the G-20 summit, which China had opposed. Chinese President Xi Jinping is
expected to attend the summit in New Delhi on September 9-10.
The release of the 2023 map
coincides with China's "National Mapping Awareness Publicity Week,"
during which the Ministry of Natural Resources will provide digital maps and
navigation tools for various applications, including location-based services,
precision agriculture, platform economy, and intelligent connected vehicles.
This year also marks the 30th
anniversary of the Law of Surveying and Mapping of the People's Republic of
China, which aimed to strengthen the administration of surveying and mapping
activities to support national development, defense, and societal progress.
Under President Xi's leadership,
China has intensified its management of border areas, enacting a new border law
in 2022 that assigns responsibilities to civilian and military authorities to
protect national sovereignty. The practice of renaming locations aligns with
Article 7 of this law, which emphasizes border education across all levels of
government. Article 22 calls for the Chinese military to conduct border drills
and counteract "invasions, encroachments, and provocations."
